SGPC to begin cleanliness drive

Amritsar, Punjab: It is said that cleanliness is next to godliness. And the SGPC has proved this to be true, having taken up the challenge of removing the garbage from the vicinity of the Golden Temple after the failure of the Municipal Corporation to do so. The decision has shaken the MC.

Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora intended to join the SGPC in its mission. The MC has failed to keep the area clean despite spending a huge amount on its cleanliness. “We have been spending Rs 55 lakh per annum on the cleanliness of the area around the Golden Temple. I will appeal to the SGPC to guide us in our drive. We can together develop a mechanism to ensure neat and clean environment around the shrine,” he said.

Meanwhile, the SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said it would be a welcome step if the MC joined them in their initiative.

“We have already chalked out a plan, which will be finalised by August 26. We will execute it from September 1. Earlier, meetings were held between the SGPC secretary and MC officials, including Municipal Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal, to keep the area clean but these failed to achieve anything. We have decided to take up the responsibility. If the MC wants to join us, it would be a welcome step but the campaign will be headed by the SGPC alone,” he said.

A year ago, a night sanitation drive was launched by the MC to keep the roads leading to the Golden Temple clean by roping in a private firm. However, the drive was stalled as the contract of the firm ended on August 2. The tender could not be floated for want of nod by the government.

A proposal regarding this has already sent to the government. “As soon as we get the green signal, we would invite firms for the night sanitation drive,” Arora said.

Arora claimed that 50 more safai karamcharis have been deployed to clean the streets leading to the Golden Temple. Though the authorities claim to take care of the area around the Golden Temple, a visit paints a different picture.

Huge piles of garbage were found unattended near the wall of the Golden Temple Galiara. Similarly, the place opposite to the jodha ghar has turned into a permanent garbage dumping site.

The Katra Ahluwalia Road, which leads to the Golden Temple, has been littered with garbage. This is the road that pilgrims and VVIPs take to reach the Golden Temple.

                                                              Mayor seeks assistance

We have been spending Rs 55 lakh per annum on the cleanliness of the area around the Golden Temple. I will appeal to the SGPC to guide us in our drive. We can together develop a mechanism to ensure neat and clean environment around the shrine. As many as 50 more safai karamcharis have been deployed to clean the streets leading to the Golden Temple.

Bakshi Ram Arora, Mayor

                                                               SGPC to go it alone

We have already chalked out a plan, which will be finalised by August 26. We will execute it from September 1. Earlier, meetings were held between the SGPC secretary and MC officials, including Municipal Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal, to keep the area clean but these failed to achieve anything. We have decided to take up the responsibility. If the MC wants to join us, it would be a welcome step but the campaign will be headed by the SGPC alone.

Avtar Singh Makkar, president, SGPC

Source: The Tribune